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Michael John LaChiusa

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BIO

Michael John LaChiusa is a Tony-nominated composer, lyricist, and librettist known for his innovative and daring works in musical theatre. Born in 1962 in Chautauqua, New York, LaChiusa began his career in the theatre as a performer before transitioning to writing.


LaChiusa's breakthrough came in 1993 with the Off-Broadway production of "Hello Again," a musical adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's "La Ronde." The show was praised for its unconventional structure, which followed a series of sexual encounters between ten characters across different eras and social classes. LaChiusa's score blended musical styles from each era, ranging from opera to disco, and earned him his first Drama Desk Award nomination.
In 1994, LaChiusa made his Broadway debut with "The Petrified Prince," a musical adaptation of a play by Tennessee Williams. The show received mixed reviews and closed after just five performances, but LaChiusa's score was praised for its haunting melodies and intricate harmonies.
LaChiusa's next major work was "Marie Christine," a musical retelling of the Greek myth of Medea set in 19th century New Orleans. The show premiered Off-Broadway in 1999 and starred Audra McDonald in the title role. LaChiusa's score blended opera, jazz, and gospel music, and earned him his first Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score.
In 2000, LaChiusa returned to Broadway with "The Wild Party," a musical adaptation of the 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March. The show starred Toni Collette and Mandy Patinkin as a dysfunctional couple hosting a party in their Manhattan apartment. LaChiusa's score drew inspiration from the jazz age and featured show-stopping numbers like "Queenie Was a Blonde" and "Welcome to My Party." The show received mixed reviews but earned LaChiusa his second Tony nomination for Best Original Score.
LaChiusa's next major work was "See What I Wanna See," a musical based on three short stories by Japanese author Ryunosuke Akutagawa. The show premiered Off-Broadway in 2005 and starred Idina Menzel and Marc Kudisch. LaChiusa's score blended rock, pop, and classical music, and earned him his third Drama Desk Award nomination.
In 2008, LaChiusa returned to Broadway with "The Glorious Ones," a musical based on the novel by Francine Prose. The show starred Nathan Lane and featured a score inspired by Italian Renaissance music. Though the show received mixed reviews, LaChiusa's score was praised for its lush harmonies and intricate melodies.
LaChiusa has also worked extensively in opera, with productions of his works staged by the New York City Opera and the Houston Grand Opera. In 2011, he premiered "Giant," a musical adaptation of the novel by Edna Ferber, at the Signature Theatre in Virginia. The show starred Kate Baldwin and Brian d'Arcy James and featured a score inspired by country and western music.
LaChiusa's most recent work is "Rain," a musical adaptation of the short story by Somerset Maugham. The show premiered Off-Broadway in 2016 and starred Jennifer Kim and Thom Sesma. LaChiusa's score blended jazz and Asian music, and earned him his fourth Drama Desk Award nomination.

Photos

Productions

The Wild Party
 
[Off-Broadway, 2026]
Music
Lyrics
Writer
Summer and SmokeSummer and Smoke
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Composer of Original Music
Little Fish
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Musical Director

Writing

The Petrified Prince
Composer
Lyricist
Giant
Composer & Lyricist
Rain
Composer/Lyricist
Bernarda Alba
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Bookwriter
Composer
First Lady Suite
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Hello Again
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Highest Yellow
Composer/Lyricist
Hotel C'est L'Amour
Composer/Lyricist
Little Fish
Composer
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Marie Christine
Lyricist
Composer
Bookwriter
See What I Wanna See
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter
The Wild Party
Lyricist
Composer
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Michael John LaChiusa, The Gardens of Anuncia

Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Michael John LaChiusa, First Daughter Suite

Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Lyrics

Michael John LaChiusa, First Daughter Suite

Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Music

Michael John LaChiusa, First Daughter Suite

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Lyrics

Michael John LaChiusa, Giant

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Music

Michael John LaChiusa, Giant

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Michael John LaChiusa, Queen of the Mist

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Lyrics

Michael John LaChiusa, Queen of the Mist

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Music

Michael John LaChiusa, Queen of the Mist

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Book of a Musical

Michael John LaChiusa, The Wild Party

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Book of a Musical

Michael John LaChiusa, Marie Christine

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Michael John LaChiusa, The Wild Party

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Michael John LaChiusa, Marie Christine


winner
- 1999 - Most promising musical theatre librettist

Michael John Lachiusa

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Book of a Musical

Michael John LaChiusa, Chronicle of a Death Foretold


winner
Obie Awards - 1994 - Special Citations

Michael John LaChiusa, First Lady Suite


winner
Obie Awards - 1994 - Special Citations

Michael John LaChiusa, Hello Again

Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Michael John LaChiusa, Hello Again

Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Music

Michael John LaChiusa, Hello Again

Videos

More Videos

News


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What is the History of New Musicals at the Public Theater? Photo
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by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 20, 2025

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Michael John LaChiusa written?

Michael John LaChiusa has written 17 shows including Bernarda Alba (Bookwriter), A...My Name Is Alice (Material), Buzzsaw Berkeley (Composer), Four Short Operas (Bookwriter), First Lady Suite (Bookwriter), Hello Again (Bookwriter), The Petrified Prince (Composer), Chronicle of a Death Foretold (Additional Material), Marie Christine (Bookwriter), The Wild Party (Bookwriter), Little Fish (Bookwriter), R Shomon (Composer), Highest Yellow (Composer/Lyricist), Hotel C'est L'Amour (Composer/Lyricist), Giant (Composer & Lyricist), Rain (Composer/Lyricist), The Gardens of Anuncia (Book).

What awards has Michael John LaChiusa been nominated for?

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Gardens of Anuncia, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for First Daughter Suite, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for First Daughter Suite, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for First Daughter Suite, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Giant, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Giant, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Queen of the Mist , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Queen of the Mist , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Queen of the Mist , Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Wild Party, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Marie Christine, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Wild Party, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Marie Christine, Most promising musical theatre librettist () for , Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Special Citations (Obie Awards) for First Lady Suite, Special Citations (Obie Awards) for Hello Again, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hello Again and Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Hello Again .

What awards has Michael John LaChiusa won?

Michael John LaChiusa has received several notable awards, including the Most Promising Musical Theatre Librettist award. He has also earned Special Citations from the Obie Awards for his work on First Lady Suite and Hello Again.

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